Feb. 2 Buffet Supper at St. Mark's

St. Mark's Men's Group
Buffet Supper

St. Mark's Church Hall

Friday, February 2, 2007
4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Eat in or Take-out

Tickets at the door:
Adults $7.00, Children (under 12) $4.00

A Message from the Mission & Service Fund

Can We Afford to Give More?
Can We Afford NOT To?

Facts:
Kofi Annan, UN General Secretary, says half of the world's people live on less than two dollars a day.

UNICEF statistics tell us that

• one billion people cannot read or write
• 3,000 children die every day from poverty
• half of the world's children live in poverty
• 1.3 billion people have no clean water
• two billion people have no electricity and three billion no sanitation

United Nations Development Agency tells us that annual world military spending equals about $780 billion while world spending on education is $6 billion.

(See more facts at www.globalissues.org/TradeRelated/Facts.asp.)



So, Can We Afford to Give More?

A newspaper costs at least 75 ¢.

• If local church givers gave an extra 75¢ to their congregations and 75¢ to M&S each month. there would be an additional $2.8 million in local coffers and in M&S.

A cheap tin of tuna costs a dollar!

• If all M&S givers gave an additional dollar a month we would have an additional $1.8 million in M&S.

A cup of coffee costs a dollar.

• If local givers gave an extra dollar a month. local churches would have $3.8 million in additional funds.

A chocolate bar costs a dollar.

• If Sunday school children gave a dollar a month to M&S it would add up to $1.3 million.

A can of pop costs a dollar.

• If the children gave a dollar to local congregations they would have $1.3 million too.

A video costs five dollars.

• If local givers who don't also give to M&S gave five dollars a month to M&S we would have an additional $9.8 million for the work we do as The United Church of Canada in the world.

~ 2007 Minutes for Mission

Youth Delegate wanted from St. Mark's for the Search Committee

Hi there!

I just wanted to let you know that St. Mark’s has left a position open on the Search Committee looking for a new minister for a YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE. This person must be a full member of St. Mark’s (has been confirmed) and it would mean you would have to attend a number of meetings to review resumes, decide what type of minister you would like to see, as well as attend interviews of prospective new ministry personnel.

This would be a great learning experience for you as you would get to have a voice in the future of our church congregation as well as learn so much about how the church works. You would get to meet people from both St. Mark’s and St. David’s, as well as any minister that might come for an interview. Most of all, you would get to voice what you think church should be like and represent the YOUTH of the congregation in the choice of a new minister!!

This is a big commitment but I think a GREAT opportunity and I would like you to really consider it.

If you are looking for more information you can contact me or Darren Blundon (Heather’s dad—He is a member of the committee).

Please give it your careful consideration as this is an important committee and you could be part of it!! Don’t be shy—if you are interested-- call Lana –625-4075 (work) or 625-0447 (home) or Darren Blundon 625-5996 (home) or email me.

Lana

Readings for February 28th, Fifth Sunday After Epiphany

Isaiah 6: 1 - 8 (9 - 13)
Psalm: 138 (Voices United page 860)
1 Corinthians 15: 1-11
Luke 5: 1 - 11

Search Committee for New Minister

The Joint Needs Assessment Report has been submitted by the committees of both St. David's and St. Mark's boards and has been approved by them. Today (January 21, 2007) the congregations voted to accept the Report. This Report will be presented to the Inverness-Guysborough Presbytery at their meeting Tuesday, January 23. The green light should then be given to post a pulpit vacancy for St. Mark's and St. David's Pastoral Charges.

The Search committee will be composed of six members from St. Mark's: Andy Palmer, Annabel Butts, Larry MacKeigan, Gladys Knight, Darren Blundon, and a possible youth delegate. Rounding out the committee, there will be four members from St. David's (three voting and one alternate) : Maxine Smith, Julia MacKinnon, Dave Pringle and Susan Pierce.

VERY IMPORTANT!!

St. Mark's requires more Congregational Board members for the Christian Education Committee. Please consider adding your name to the list of those dedicated folks who are nurturing the spiritual growth of our children and young people.

We are also looking for a person to chair our board. According to outgoing chair, AnnMarie Butcher - "this is the easiest job on the board". Please put your name forward or nominate someone you know who would be a good chair, before our Annual Congregational Meeting scheduled for February 4th.

Ecumenical Service

An Ecumenical Service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be held at Trinity United Church, Mulgrave on Sunday, January 21st at 7:00 PM. All are welcome and a lunch will be served.

Quilters

A gift of money has been received from the Quilters for St. Mark's General Fund.

St. Mark's Congregational Board Meeting

St. Mark's Congregational Board Meeting will be held on January 16th.

• Executive: 6:30 PM
• Committees: 7:15 Pm
• Combined Board: 8:15 PM

St. David's Coffee Time

The first coffee time before church at St. David's was hosted by Julia MacKinnon on January 14th.




Those who can help in looking after the coffee/tea on the second Sunday of each month in the Church hall, please let us know. It is served between 10:15 AM and 11:00 AM.

St. Mark's UCW (Special Events)

St. Mark's UCW (Special Events Group) will be holding a meeting at 7:30 PM Monday, January 15.

Marg Wilson's 90th

On January 11th, friends of Marg Wilson held a surprise party at Sunset Manor in honour of her 90th birthday.

First Birthday in Canada

On January 4th, Christiana marked her 28th birthday and her first birthday in Canada with a party in the Kalley apartment in Port Hood. Some of the members of the Inverness County Welcomes Refugees committee, neighbours and friends were there to share in the celebration. Christiana prepared some interesting West African food for us to sample.

Special Congregational Meetings, January 21st

A special congregational meeting has been called for Sunday, January 21 at 10:30 AM at St. Mark's and at 12:15 PM at St. David's. The purpose of the meetings is to consider and vote on the report and recommendations by the Joint Needs Assessment Committee as approved by the official/congregational boards.

St. Mark's Annual Reports

Annual reports are to be presented at the annual board meeting in January. If typing and printing are required, please have your reports at the office early.

Christmas Eve Photos from St. Mark's

December 31, 2006 St. Mark's Baptisms

Jaiden Addley Julia Cameron
Born October 5, 2006

Sherrie Lynn Cameron
(Adult Baptism)







Logan Simon Cooke Born May 10, 2006

Photos

Who received a digital camera for Christmas? We need more shutterbugs at St. Mark's to help to photographically illustrate the events at the church. Please call the Church office or Camille if you are willing to help.

Blog Address Error

Those of you who have found your way to this site obviously are aware that our Blog address is:
http://ourcontactonline.blogspot.com/
and not http://newcontactonline.blogspot.com/
as was published in the bulletin of Sunday December 17. Please pass the message on to your family and friends, so they can visit our new site.

If you wish to review our archives from April 2006 until the creation of this new site, go to:
http://stmarksstdavidscontact.blogspot.com/

Choir Practice December 19

A choir practice is scheduled for Tuesday, December 19th at 5:45. Please attend as this is the last chance we will have to get our Christmas music into shape.

Carol Singing at Sunset Manor

The Youth Group will be at Sunset Manor at 7 p.m. Sunday, December 17th for Carol Singing and sharing goodies with the residents.

Everyone who loves to sing or play an instrument is welcome to attend and join in the festivities.

St. Mark's Men's Group

St. Mark's Men's Group will meet for breakfast at 8 a.m. tomorrow, Sunday, December 17th.

St. Mark's Nativity

One of St. Mark's Christmas traditions for almost two decades has been the Nativity Scene in the sanctuary. We asked Audrey MacLaughlin to tell us the story.


St. Mark's Nativity

Approximately 18 years ago, as the season of Advent with the usual consumerism approached, I felt that it would be more meaningful if our congregation, and particularly the children, had a nativity scene to remind us of the real meaning of Christmas. After doing a little research, it was determined that a set of the size and quality desired could be purchased from a ceramic shop in Truro. We proceeded to raise the money required by way of donations and "In Memoriams" and the order was placed. Lucille Evans & I chose the colours of the figurines with great care, and exercised patience until finally it was the exciting day when we went to Truro to pick up our treasure. During the time of waiting for the figurines to be completed, my husband Allan built a stable out of old barn boards. We were very proud the first time the scene was displayed. Folks in the congregation seemed pleased and interested, and the children would look at it and name out the figurines each Sunday. I am a member now of St. Matthew's United in Halifax but every December I still remember the very special events of Advent, and the Christmas Eve service at St. Mark's. "Our" nativity scene portraying the birth of Jesus, and the fact that it is still being used, is a very special part of those memories.

Audrey MacLaughlin

Keeping in Touch

I just wanted to let you know that I have enjoyed looking at the Blog from the Church. I have been living in Houston Texas for 2 years. My mom sent me the link for the blog and I have been able to see all the postings. It is really great to be able to keep up with some of the news from home, and to see all the pictures. Keep up the great work.

Natalie MacKeigan

Inverness County Welcomes Refugee Resettlement Committee Update

As you are aware, Don, Christiana and Israel arrived on October 2, 2006. Just 2 weeks later, little Donalda was born at St. Martha's in Antigonish, and has been growing quickly. Both she and Israel are the talk of the Port Hood, prompting smiles wherever they go.

The generosity shown to the Kalleys has been amazing. Folks have given food, clothing, diapers, monetary donations, and visits, and the ever present friendliness of the people in all of our communities has been truly a gift from God for the newcomers.

In late October, the CBC sent a camera crew to Port Hood for an interview with the Kalleys and committee members. This was a great experience, and when the segment aired later that week it was well received.

In early November the Cape Breton Sheep producers Association graciously donated $2,700 to our project and another $2,700 to L'Arche Cape Breton. Our thanks for this boost, and for all the donations which, when tallied, come close to the $15,000 mark.

On most Sundays the Kalleys have been guests at various local church communities, and we express gratitude to those who have kindly assisted with transportation and arrangements.

Don has enrolled in Young Drivers driver training, has passed his 'beginners', and will have his first driving lesson on December 14 with instructor Rodger Hart.

Hermina VanZutphen arranged for Bishop Lahey to meet the Kalleys on December 13th.

Also that week Margie Beaton's Global Geography Class from Dalbrae Academy came to the Kalley apartment and set up a Christmas Tree then hosted a party for them. The students have raised $500.00 and had gifts to present to Don and Christiana. CBC Radio was there for a taping to air near Christmas.

Our Year End Committee Meeting was held Wednesday December 13 at 7:00 pm St. Peter's Hall, Port Hood. Rev. Paul MacGillvray, Social Action Co-ordinator, Diocese of Antigonish, was our guest an expert in the Refugee Resettlement process of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). After the meeting at the Hall, a few members accompanied Father Paul to the Kalleys for tea so that he can meet the family the Diocese sponsored through their Sponsorship Agreement with CIC.

Decorating St. David's for Christmas

Saturday, December 2nd at 10 a.m. St. David's had a get-together to decorate the Church and hall for Advent and Christmas. Pointsettias and other flowers were welcome donations. Robert Fox drove to Port Hood and collected the Kalley family to join in the festivities at St. David's on their first Christmas in their new home of Canada. They joined right in and helped with the decorating. A delicious lunch was served after all the work was completed.